How to find THE plot point/conflict/climax?

[Colours_dont_match]

So I've got my story (scifi comic) and I have several things planned out in good detail. I did much world building, because I have several planets, got all the political, cultural and environmental details and systems for them, got all the character sheets, also for characters who will appear much later, got the ending, got the conflicts and development for my characters and the changes for the environment and political structure, as well as how everything is connected and how one faction will react to others after changes, got personal goals and their way to these, backgrounds and so forth.

But: I kinda miss the climax, the whole "big conflict", the part which is super exciting and all, where everything is about to be set for the ending.
I don't necessarily need a huge, cruel fight or anything, but something that surprises or is at least exciting enough for people to worry about the characters or the future of everything.
I have several subplots, which are exciting by themselves and let you worry about them, but I feel like I'm kinda missing the big point itself.

I looked at lots of tips for writing and how to structure your story, but I am actually kinda missing the climax itself, or at least don't find the conflict to get there do enough impact. So do you have any idea how to get there/find it?
I would love to hear your tips how to find the conflict, how to make it more exciting or even take links for plot generators (I did find some funny/interesting ideas though them already for subplots).

[Kaydreamer]

Yeah, I don't have one either. I have skirmishes and action, but there's nothing building toward a final 'big battle' event - at least, not for this stage of my project. (I have a big sandbox universe - eventually, the main plotline of this sandbox universe will link up with this one, and THEN we might see a war. That's, oh... probably 30 years away.)

I'm perfectly fine with this. My story is about a rebellion. The aim of this rebellion aim isn't to win a grand battle; it's too small, and the enemy too big. Instead, it wants to cause some mayhem for the bad guys, win the small skirmishes it does engage in, rescue as many innocent people as possible, get the citizens on its side, and gather enough intel to convince an external political and military force to come help them finish the job.

Part of what I intend to do for the climax of the story is to follow small teams of characters, each of them taking down a different target. I don't intend for the war to be 'won' by the end of the series - but I want it to look hopeful, and end on a high point for the Rebellion.

[Lakie]

These are good questions. While world build is a really good exercise to tell a story that is rich in detail, it is not a story in of itself. Unless you have a character who goes on a journey and is transformed then you don't really have a story, and the climax should the be point/event at which the main character goes through that transformation to their final form.

Given you guys have mentioned sci fi and rebellion, I'll use Star Wars (A New Hope) as an example( I guess spoiler warnings, but seriously its Star Wars - if you havent seen it yet get your act together ) . While Star Wars has crazy world building, and that aids in it being a full experience, the reason why Star Wars is a great story, why you want to fist pump in the air, is because Luke blows up the Death Star. The theme of Star Wars is about technology vs faith (the physical vs the metaphysical) and as we see Luke's transformation throughout the film, the climax of the final battle, when Luke has to make the key shot, he rejects his onboard aiming system (technology) and trusts his gut (faith) and is able to destroy the death star, this new focus on faith paving the way for him to go off and be a Jedi in subsequent films.

So it's the event that fulfils the point of your story, its central premise or the reason people pay money for it, and it should propel your character to the final stage of their development journey.

Hope that help, otherwise happy to discuss further.

[Colours_dont_match]

Yeah I am at a similar point, or have similar factions, like rebels and a big baddy society they are fighting against. I also have an ending and how it will be changed afterwards, but don't see it happening Star Wars like in a big spaceship battle and everything is ok afterwards kinda thing.

Also what you described, I can see that these are actually more interesting things to tell, like having interesting subplots and character developments but not having this "huge thing" at the end that decides all, I'd be kinda scared that this would be a long-ass neverending story which is at the end like: "Yeah nothing really changed, people are still kinda oppressed, but at least the protagonists made friends on their way".

[Colours_dont_match]

Yes of course I've seen the movies like a hundred times XD (and yeah whoever hasn't seen them, misses something important in their lives.).

Maybe you are right, cause if you analyze it like that, Luke's transformation, or rather his decision doesn't sound that interesting when it's written down in some short sentences like that. Basically just him deciding to use his faith instead of technology.
It's not a huge Avengers Endgame style end fight or something, but "just" a pivotal moment in the journey of the protagonist.
So maybe I kinda have the climax already, at least I have a similar part where the behavior of a very few people could end in a total war and kind of annihilation of everything, or if decided differently could start at least something new/different with a chance for a new age.
Actually I kinda thought this wouldn't be interesting enough and I need more action and boom and explosions and huge fights and stuff (which is also good I guess lol) XD

[Bokyongyo]

I struggled with this too.

During the early stages of just plotting the narrative I knew I needed chapters that built up characters without it feeling boring, but also able to push the plot along, these are in essence the first 3 chapters of my comic

Each chapter I like to write with one being its own story that in a way you can pick up anywhere and read but in every 3 chapters the main plot of that 3 chapter mini arc is concluded

Some tips I would have is to be open to change,
I cannot tell you how many times I have rearranged, changed or altered certain plot elements just to find one that has a solid enough flow to it that doesn't drag the story down but also doesn't feel super rushed. But I also am glad I was open to it because if I wasn't the story could've been weakened because of it.

And if it helps , think of the plot at a smaller scale, rather than the big scope picture. This can really lift the burden of stress that can come to building this huge, sprawling narrative that leads to a giant climax. and at least for myself, it also helps you think about the little details of said narrative better, that usually go missed when thinking about the story at a grander level.